Collaborating for Change

The old adage “in unity there’s strength” couldn’t be truer when it comes to combating climate change. And TryEngineering – a proactive IEEE initiative that aims to foster the next generation of technology innovators by providing pre-university educators and students with resources, lesson plans, and activities that engage and inspire – has long been coalescing some of the best minds and resources in the field to rise to the challenge.

Since 2023, and building on IEEE’s broader Climate Change initiative (which highlights new technologies to better predict and respond to climate change, case studies featuring innovative solutions and approaches to climate change, and global events taking place in the field), TryEngineering created an engrossing collection of climate change-related lessons, activities, and events for students ages 4-18 which cover everything from pollution, recycling, solar and wind power, and irrigation to electric vehicles, energy storage, ocean engineering, and much more.

This year, TryEngineering has proudly taken its commitment to addressing climate change to the next level by partnering with the renowned Museum of Science in Boston to help amplify awareness of climate change issues and further engage students in being part of a larger global solution.

A Productive Partnership

Impacting some five million people annually at its physical location as well as through classrooms and online platforms worldwide on such topics as space, artificial intelligence (AI), animals, climate change, life science, and engineering, the Museum of Science is among the world’s largest and most influential science centers and strives to equip and inspire citizens to use science for the global good.

Towards that end, and as part of their productive partnership, TryEngineering recently worked with the celebrated institution to host a nearly four-minute educational video created by Moment Factory and the Museum of Science on the causes and effects of climate change.

Posted on TryEngineering’s Climate Change page and cast in age-appropriate language, the video helps students understand the definition of “climate change,” which currently represents one of the world’s most significant threats. “Since the Industrial Revolution, humans have been digging up fossil fuels and burning them, which releases CO2 into the atmosphere in unprecedented quantities,” explains the video, which goes on to note that in the past 60 years, atmospheric CO2 has increased at a rate 100 times faster than previous natural increases.

While the video shares the real-world impact of excessive emissions of pollutants like CO2, lead, and ash on our climate, it also confirms that “when we work together, we can change the global environment,” and encourages students to contribute to a global solution and be the change they want to see.

“We’re thrilled to see the traction that TryEngineering’s collection of Climate Change Resources have had among educators and students over the past year and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with The Museum of Science to bring even more awareness and exposure of this important issue to the K-12 setting,” shared Debra Gulick, Director of Student & Academic Education Programs within IEEE’s Educational Activities operating unit. “Working with prominent partners like The Museum of Science, we remain committed to energizing students around important issues like climate change and helping them understand how engineering can make a difference.”

For more information on TryEngineering’s collection of Climate Change Resources, which include a brand-new video on climate change by The Museum of Science, visit TryEngineering’s Climate Change page.

TryEngineering and the Signal Processing Society Continue Their Partnership!

TryEngineering and the Pre-University Coordination Committee are proud to continue our partnership with the IEEE Signal Processing Society!

Founded in 1948, the Signal Processing Society (SPS) was IEEE’s first society. After 75 years, they have built a membership base of over 20,000 signal processing engineers, students, and professionals. Their goal is to advance the development and spread of scientific information and resources, in order to educate the signal processing community.

TryEngineering and the Pre-University Coordination Committee are tasked with inspiring the engineers of tomorrow. This partnership with SPS has been essential to achieving our goal. While TryEngineering has a team of staff and volunteers who are engaged in developing engineering resources for adults who work with school-aged children, SPS has the subject matter expertise. By working in collaboration, we have been able to increase the global reach and awareness of SPS technologies. This in turn, will inspire many school-aged students to consider a career in engineering!

Together, TryEngineering and SPS have developed an SPS thematic page on the TryEngineering website. This page features specifically curated SPS content, such as lesson plans, articles, and games. The page also includes an SPS Overview Video, developed by the SPS Education Committee, which perfectly explains the world of signal processing so that even the youngest of students are able to understand.

The Signal Processing Society also provided $3,000 in funding, which was awarded to 2024 STEM grant programs with a signal processing engineering focus. The 3 programs that were awarded with this funding are:

IEEE Signal Processing K12 STEM Program – 4th edition on Wheels – IEEE SPS Bangalore Chapter – Region 10

Train the STEM Trainers in Secondary Schools- Multiplier Effect STEM Outreach – Nnamdi Azikiwe University – Region 8

Workshop on Computer Programming and IoT for Regular dan Vocational High Schools in Subdistrict Baleendah, Bandung, Indonesia – IEEE SPS Indonesia Chapter – Region 10

Together, SPS and TryEngineering are also developing a series of SPS STEM Stories, which spotlight the programs and volunteers who are making a difference in their communities. The first of these SPS Spotlights is featuring the Kenya Section of IEEE, and their program: IEEE Signal Processing Society K12 Initiative Using VR and IoT, which immersed participants aged 13-17 and highlighted the global relevance of STEM.

If you know a program or volunteer who is making an impact in the world of signal processing on behalf of IEEE, be sure to let us know by sending us an email at: tryengineering@ieee.org

STEM Program Spotlight: K12 Initiative in Kenya

TryEngineering is always looking to share great stories from our friends around IEEE who are pursuing efforts in STEM outreach and education. In this STEM Program Spotlight submitted by Stephen Okwiri from the Kenya Section and the IEEE Signal Processing Society, we highlight their program K12 Initiative Using VR and IoT.

In the pursuit of revolutionizing STEM education and empowering young minds, the K-12 initiative took center stage at St Catherine of Siena Kitisuru, Nairobi, Kenya in December 2023. This transformative program unfolded by immersing participants aged between 13-17 in a rich tapestry of activities aimed at fostering curiosity and empowerment.

This collaborative effort spearheaded by the IEEE Signal Processing Society Kenya and e-Mentoring Africa, emerged as a beacon of inspiration in STEM education. Beyond a conventional educational endeavor, this initiative set out to create an immersive experience, creating an environment where young minds could explore, learn, and envision possibilities within the vast realm of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The initiative sought to not only enrich the educational landscape of the participants but also to serve as a catalyst for the aspiring innovators and problem solvers of tomorrow.

The program effectively equipped students with design thinking skills, seamlessly transitioning from theoretical understanding to practical application through engaging challenges. Notably, the initiative cultivated robust problem-solving abilities among participants, enabling them to address community issues creatively and effectively. The emphasis on circuit analysis proficiency, spanning from basic concepts to advanced applications, ensured that students gained a comprehensive understanding of circuitry and its practical applications in solution-building. Introducing programming skills proved to be instrumental, empowering students with fundamental programming knowledge that they seamlessly integrated into their presented solutions. The initiative also played a vital role in nurturing students’ presentation prowess, surpassing initial reservations as they confidently pitched their projects with excellence. Moreover, the comprehensive training in communication proficiency, spanning public speaking, team discussions, and articulation of ideas, positioned the students with invaluable assets for their future academic pursuits. The impact of the K-12 Initiative resonates not only in the skills acquired but in the holistic development and empowerment of the participating students.

Participants expressed that the K12 Initiative provided a platform for profound self-awareness and described the overall experience as life-changing. Participants noted that the initiative enhanced their understanding of collaborative dynamics.

“Engineering bridges, both literal and metaphorical, within our minds,” remarked a participant, encapsulating the essence of the day’s activities.

There were a few challenges that had to be overcome to make this program a success, one of which was the change in VR perception. Many participants had viewed VR as a solely western concept, but the K12 Initiative successfully shifted this perspective, highlighting the global relevance and accessibility of VR. Another challenge was Internet of Things (IoT) enlightenment. Participants discovered new insights into sensors during the IoT session on traffic lights and police sirens. Despite initial perceptions of IoT complexity, the K12 Initiative simplified the concept effectively.

“We soar highest when we believe in our abilities,” expressed a mentor during the session.

The K12 Initiative was widely acknowledged as more educational, surpassing expectations in delivering valuable learning experiences. For many, it was a first-time experience with VR, indicating the novelty and potential impact of incorporating these technologies into educational programs.

To learn more about everything that this exciting program accomplished, be sure to check out the K12 Initiative video!

If you know a program or volunteer who is making an impact in the world of STEM on behalf of IEEE, be sure to let us know! Email us at tryengineering@ieee.org

Let’s Celebrate Earth Day 2024!

Earth Day, celebrated annually on 22 April, is a global event dedicated to raising awareness and promoting action for environmental protection. Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970, and was founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin. Senator Nelson was inspired to raise awareness of environmental issues after witnessing the devastating Santa Barbara oil spill, off the coast of southern California in 1969. Earth Day serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our planet’s ecosystems, as well as fostering sustainable practices to ensure a healthy future for the next generations.

Earth Day 2024

The theme for Earth Day 2024 is Planet vs. Plastics, which challenges us to achieve a 60% reduction in the production of plastics by 2040, and eventually a plastic-free world. 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic has been produced since the 1950s, and 79% percent of it is still present in landfills or the natural environment! This plastic waste in our oceans, lakes, rivers, and landfills is not only unsightly, but also very harmful to plants, animals, and human health.

As plastics decompose, they break down into tiny toxic particles called microplastics. These microplastics can contaminate soil and waterways, and eventually enter the food chain when animals accidentally ingest them.

“The word ‘environment’ means what surrounds you. In the case of plastics we have become the product itself – it flows through our blood stream, adheres to our internal organs, and carries with it heavy metals known to cause cancer and disease. Now this once-thought amazing and useful product has become something else, and our health and that of all other living creatures hangs in the balance,” says Kathleen Rogers, President of EarthDay.org. “The Planet vs. Plastics campaign is a call to arms, a demand that we act now to end the scourge of plastics and safeguard the health of every living being upon our planet.”

Take Action & Celebrate Earth Day!

We all have a part to play in raising awareness and protecting our planet, and there are many ways that we each can take action and celebrate Earth Day this year!

Host a clean-up effort in your community! If you are interested in joining one of the many existing clean-up efforts, be sure to check out the Earth Day Map to find events & volunteer opportunities in your local area.

Sign the Global Plastics Treaty, to support a 60% reduction of all fossil fuel-based plastic production by 2040, ban the export and incineration of plastic waste, and support innovative solutions and alternatives to plastic.

Advocate for policy change! Write letters to your local elected officials and encourage them to support policies that promote environmental protection and sustainability.

To learn more about how pollution is affecting our planet, be sure to visit the TryEngineering Climate Change page. Here, you will find a great video provided by Moment Factory and the Museum of Science, Boston, which explains Climate Change in a simple and informative way. In addition, there are also many beneficial lesson plans and resources available to help educators and enthusiasts share the facts with school-aged children.

TryEngineering & Keysight Partner Together

TryEngineering is excited to announce a strategic partnership with Keysight! The goal of this collaboration is to build awareness of engineering in pre-university students, through the promotion of key lesson plans. It is essential to build this awareness, so that we can inspire the next generation of innovators to pursue engineering and STEM fields. Keysight and TryEngineering will also work together to develop additional lesson plans based around electronics, and the power of simulations.

Officially established in 2014, Keysight’s focus is on electronic measurement instruments and equipment, and empowering innovators to bring their world changing technologies to life. Since their inception, Keysight has continued to innovate in electronic measurement, and has provided solutions for a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, and telecommunications. The company’s roots trace back to Hewlett-Packard (HP), who also contributed significantly to advancements in STEM. Keysight also has a strong commitment to workforce development through pre-university STEM outreach, which makes them a perfect partner for TryEngineering.

Together, TryEngineering and Keysight will be collaborating to develop lesson plans that will inspire the engineers of tomorrow. These lesson plans will span a variety of STEM topics, difficulty levels, and age ranges. Any teacher or educator will be able to find an applicable topic for their students, no matter what their level or interests are! There are a number of lesson plans already available, with many more currently being developed. Be sure to visit the newly launched partnership page to learn more, and check back frequently to view new lesson plans as they are added.

The newest of these lesson plans is the Light Up Name Badge. In this lesson, even the youngest students will learn the basics of circuitry; such as the basic components of a circuit, series and parallel circuits, and electronic component symbols.

Students will be able to apply their newfound knowledge in a design challenge where they create a light-up name badge of their own name!

To hear more about TryEngineering and Keysight’s partnership, please join us on 17 April 2024, at 10:30 AM (EDT) for a webinar: TryEngineering & Keysight: Inspiring the Engineers of Tomorrow.